Hilary Ternes 

A big shout out to Tania Bogenschneider for introducing our newest members Hilary and Jack Ternes to our organization. 



Hilary was an Adult Special Needs teacher for 20 years at Central Piedmont Community College and a Special Needs teacher in the Fairfax County, VA schools. She has retail experience and has volunteered with Loaves and Fishes and Second Harvest Food Bank. 

Her ALC interests are Operation School Bell (OSB), Operation Check Hunger (OCH), Operation Book Bag (OBB), and Heart of the Home (HOH). 

Hilary is willing to assist in the Thrift Shop, at the donation door and in books, furniture, ladies, lamps, or art/antiques departments. 

John “Jack” Ternes 

Jack is a retired orthopedic surgeon serving as Head of the Orthopedic Department at the Naval Hospital in Charleston, SC. He is also a retired U.S. Navy Captain. He has served as Boy Scout leader for Troop 174 in Charlotte, volunteered with Loaves and Fishes and Second Harvest Food Bank.

Jack enjoys woodworking and has furniture repair experience. 

Chapter projects that appeal to him include OSB, OCH, OBB, HOH and Scholarship. 

Besides helping in the Thrift Shop and at the donation door, he is interested in assisting in our book, furniture, or lamp departments. 

Welcome to Hilary and Jack! We hope you enjoy your Assistance League experiences, fellow volunteer members, and our mission. 

From class #75, Kristen Harris was chosen.

Kristen Harris ~ “I made a promise to myself.” Kristen has tried to pursue many career choices – nails, hair, lashes – but cooking is the only one that stuck. “Cooking is my thing, I’m dedicated to it,” she says. She grew up watching her mom and grandmother in the kitchen cooking for their families, and at 20 when she became a mother, she knew it was time to cook for hers. She originally enrolled in Class 73 at the beginning of 2023, but lack of childcare prevented her from completing the class. With her daughter starting preschool in August and Class 75 starting in September, she knew it was the perfect time to try again. “I made a promise to myself to go back to culinary school when she started school. I want to be the best mom I can be.” Kristen says that her daughter is autistic and that it’s important to her to let her daughter know she is loved and cared for in every way. After graduation, Kristen wants to expand her culinary skills. “I came to CCSC for a culinary experience and because it works with my schedule.” Here’s to taking the next step, Kristen! 

Monday Morning Email (MME) Survey 

Many thanks to the Assistance League members who responded to my question about the publication schedule of the MME. The overwhelming response was to leave it as is. As one respondent said: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. 

Michele Hagan, President